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Wildlife
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- - We protect wildlife in Britain and around the world by bringing our most threatened species back from the brink of extinction. We do this through ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
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- Close
- - Some habitats contain such a richness of life that we need to protect them at all odds. We are working to preserve ancient woodlands, orchards and wood pastures and parklands, as well as the countless species they support.
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- - Everything we do is based on scientific evidence. We gather this through surveys, which you can take part in, and by awarding research grants to the most inspiring scientists worldwide. This evidence guides our conservation efforts and is shared through our events and publications.
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- - People’s Trust for Endangered Species was set up in 1977 to save our wildlife. We are governed by a board of volunteer trustees and our team of staff are passionate about protecting endangered species and places.
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- - We strive to bring our most threatened species in the UK and around the world back from the brink of extinction. Our successes come from ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
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- - There are so many ways you can help save endangered species. Fancy taking part in a survey, joining us on a wildlife event or becoming a regular supporter?
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- - Support our work in our shop with a range of charity gifts, home-ware, cards and more. 100% of the profits go directly to help wildlife both in the UK an overseas.
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- - There is nothing natural about the alarming rate at which we are losing animals and their homes. It is absolutely avoidable. We can stop the loss of our wildlife – but we need your support. You can act now by choosing to give to our cause. Thank you.

Home // Research grants // Our worldwide projects // On the trail of the Colombian black spider monkey

On the trail of the Colombian black spider monkey

Colombian-Black-Spider-Monkeys---Alma-Hernandez

Funding for this project has now finished

Few signs of black spider monkey presence, many threats

Colombian black spider monkeys are endemic to the Pacific coast of Colombia and a small part of eastern Panama. They’re currently one of the rarest and least studied primates in the world. In Colombia, there’s no information about the number of monkeys left in the wild, or in which areas they’re in.

In recent years, Alma Hernandez and her team have been able to carry out searches for this species in certain areas of the Colombian Pacific. However, Alma’s work to date has proven that the conservation scenario for black spider monkeys is very complex: pressure on their survival continues to mount due to increased deforestation, subsistence hunting, the exploitation of resources stemming from population growth, but also from an explosion of illegal activities such as mining and drug trafficking.

The conservation of this species needs an approach that involves local communities and a strong research component, which can generate information that enables really informed decisions to be taken. These will then have the best chance of having positive impacts for the conservation of this special and threatened primate.

Alma-Hernandez-Jaramillo-Black-headed-spider-monkey-team — Alma and the team

Conservation education is key

Alma’s Neotropical Primate Conservation Colombia team will gather as much information as possible from new sites where Colombian black spider monkeys are currently found, as well as the main threats they face. The team will also take the opportunity to learn about their ecology and make sound population density estimates.

Local communities will be their key allies; they’ll work closely together to find possible solutions at the local level, both to reduce pressure on the forests and the species, and at the same time strengthen the governance of the communities. Conservation education is key here. Teaching future generations about how to reconnect with the forest, and making sure they get to know and value this special primate, who they live alongside, will be critical in the success of the project.

Thank you to all our donors who helped us fund this work. You can help us support more projects like this with a donation today:

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